Wellness & Wellbeing
Wellness: The quality or state of being healthy in body and mind
Well-being: a good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterized by health, happiness, and prosperity
These unprecedented times call for a little extra attention when it comes to our wellness and well-being. Taking care of ourselves is more than just being free from illness - although that is high on the list these days!
Wellness means paying attention to our emotional states, our social connections and our support systems. It means stepping away from the computer to take a walk around the block or planning a safe, outdoor outing on the weekend. For you it could look like making space for an online yoga class or downloading a meditation app to use on a daily basis. It could be finding a new recipe for Monday night dinner or sitting down for a phone call with your best friend.
In short, it’s about finding a balance of your physical and mental well-being and your work life. It’s not so much an end goal, but rather small daily changes to your lifestyle.
The upside? Finding a little balance can help with your stress and anxiety and can give you the resiliency you need to handle whatever else life is going to bring.
Why Taking Care of Your Own Well-Being Helps Others - Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley
Five Reasons to Share Your Mental Health Struggles - Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley
University of Minnesota Well-being Assessment
This quick, easy assessment tool from the University of Minnesota will give you a snap shot of areas that might need a little more attention. Once you have a sense of where you are, you'll have a better idea of where you might want to make some changes.
The NIH has put together a list of six strategies for improving your emotional health. Each area has a check list, articles and more.
IDEA Wellness Resource Archive
The IDEA Office has gathered relevant articles, resources, support group listings and recordings of past events into one place.